SOUTH West Trains is auctioning some of its train nameplates next weekend to help raise funds for the children's hospice, Naomi House, near Winchester. The auction will take place in Derby, on Saturday, June 14, and is organised through Sheffield Railwayana Auctions Limited. For those who cannot attend the auction in person, details of the lots are available at http://www.sheffieldrailwayana.co.uk">www.sheffieldrailwayana.co.uk South West Trains named a train after Naomi House Children's Hospice last year and is continuing its support by pledging the proceeds of the nameplate auction towards a new appeal to raise funds to build, equip and run, a new hospice for young people named 'jacksplace@naomihouse'. The Naomi House appeal hopes to raise £12 million for the new hospice which will offer a range of facilities and support services to young people with life-limiting illnesses, and their families, from across central southern England. Chairman Khalid Aziz said: "The team at Naomi House was delighted when the train was named after the children's hospice. The auction of the nameplates is another exciting stage in our involvement. We will be watching the sale with a great deal of interest." Dr John Tough, chairman of the Bramshott and Liphook Parish Council told the Herald: "It is wonderful that South West Trains is supporting the new Naomi House Children's Hospice so generously from the proceeds of the sale of some of its train nameplates. "The nameplates to be auctioned are from the old Class 442 trains which were taken off the London Waterloo to Bournemouth line. There are 17 nameplates in the auction. Names include 'The New Forest', 'Victory' and the 'Borough of Woking'. South West Trains' engineering director Mac Mackintosh said: "We are hoping there is lots of interest in this auction from everyone from train enthusiasts to passengers who may have travelled on the trains which sported these plates, or have a more personal association to the name itself. "We chose Naomi House children's charity as they work tirelessly to improve the lives of many families across our network." For more information about Naomi House, visit http://www.naomihouse.org.uk">www.naomihouse.org.uk.
